Selling the 'Land of More'

That's the theme of the advertising campaign the city commission will consider when it meets today at city hall. The media plan was prepared by the Nashville firm Bohan Advertising.

Why the Land of More? "The reason people come is that there is so much variety here, attractions, restaurants, theaters," said Pigeon Forge Tourism Director Leon Downey. Visitors are overwhelmed by all that there is to see and do, he added.

The campaign costs $4 million and covers traditional media outlets such as television, print, radio and billboards. The city budgets its web and social-media advertising separately.

In November, the Pigeon Forge Tourism Advisory Board met to consider media plans presented by Bohan, including Land of More. The board voted to recommend Land of More to the city commission. The advisory board is made up of business owners representing various segments of the Pigeon Forge tourism industry.

In other business, the commission will consider:

- Second reading of ordinances related to liquor by the drink. One establishes a privilege tax on business selling liquor, and the other affirms that state statutes govern the hours of liquor sales and the age of people who server liquor

- The 2011-2012 fiscal year audit

- Additional funding for the traffic signal project at Music Road and the Parkway